The U.K. Ministry of Defense revealed last night that the 28-year-old prince had completed a five-month deployment in Afghanistan, where he served as an Apache helicopter pilot with the Army Air Corps.

The British base at Akrotiri is the halfway point between RAF Brize Norton in the UK and Camp Bastion and used for troops returning from combat to adjust to normal life.

The Sovereign Base Areas were created in 1960 by the Treaty of Establishment, when Cyprus achieved independence from the British Empire.

Prince Harry turned 28 shortly after he arrived at Camp Bastion, but was unable to celebrate with a drink, as no alcohol is allowed for troops serving in Afghanistan.